Wilma A. Galegher

Wilma A. Galegher (89) passed peacefully from this life into God’s loving arms on July 4, 2019. She was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 26, 1930 to Walfred and Agnes (Haugen) Perila. Wilma grew up in Jackson Center, OH, and Reynolds. ND.  She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in 1952. She taught first grade, home economics and English in Portland. N.D.

On June 28, 1952 she married Boyd W. Galegher and settled in Thompson, ND. In 1970 they moved to their farm into the house Wilma designed, where she and Boyd raised five children. Wilma and Boyd shared over 44 years together filled with love and adventure raising family, farming and traveling.

Family, faith and community were important to Wilma.  She was a dedicated and active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Reynolds, ND.  She was a Walle Wonders 4-H Club leader for 31 years, serving on the N.D. 4-H Foundation board of directors.  She was a founding member of the Thompson General Federated Women’s Club (GFWC) and in 1998, the National GFWC honored her with the “Woman of Achievement Award.” She was president and executive board member for Valley Memorial Homes in Grand Forks, N.D. Concordia College honored Wilma with the President’s Award in 2007 for outstanding service to others.

Summers were filled with camping at Norway Beach in the Mallard trailer, canning the garden’s bounty and spending many a weekend attending Quarter Horse shows with family. Later she and Boyd enjoyed spending time at their lake home on Grace Lake, in Bemidji MN.  Wilma enjoyed traveling with family and friends across the U.S. and internationally.  Her last trip was to China with Sherpa Claudia.  Wilma thoroughly loved attending her grandchildren's activities from sporting events, to plays, dance and music concerts.

She will be deeply missed and remembered always by her children, Paul (Sonia) Galegher of Thompson, ND, Charlotte Hovet (Tom Thornton) of St. Paul, MN, Claudia (Bill) Coles of Bellevue, WA, Carla (Don) Ecklund of Chula Vista, CA and Cheryl (Bob) Ross of Fargo, ND; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Joyce Perila and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband Boyd, her infant twin granddaughters Katherine and Emily Ross and her brother Wallace.

Heartfelt thanks to all the Hospice staff and Comfort Keepers caregivers who provided care and support to Wilma and her family these past years.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held Friday, August 9, with visitation from 5-7 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks. Visitation will continue from 1-2 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, at Reynolds Lutheran Church in Reynolds, ND.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Reynolds Lutheran Church, 503 6^th Ave, Reynolds, ND 58275 and Altru Foundation, 2501 Demers Ave, Grand Forks, ND 5820.

Wilma is a donating her body to the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences in hopes of helping others.

“Mom, you have always been a strong, determined, resilient woman.  You taught us to do our very best, to be fearless, and to reach for the stars.  We are forever grateful for your endless love and empowering support.”